Holistic Health Project/ Closed

This project will provide culturally relevant education to vulnerable groups of Aboriginal women, and enhance the ability of community-based service providers in the urban Montreal area. The goal is to address the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and their children who are affected by homelessness, the sex trade, HIV infection, substance abuse, and family violence.

Facilitate client awareness working groups to develop and facilitate workshops;

Create of awareness materials with the assistance of an Art Therapist using various forms of art; other arts-based projects such as a quilting project will also be used to raise awareness;

Coordinate volunteer placement for Aboriginal women and youth;

Provide traditional talking circles and ceremonies;

Offer accompaniments to diagnosis, care, treatment and social support appointments for Aboriginal women living with or at risk for HIV and other related diseases and conditions;

Provide supportive counselling and access to a Traditional Healer for Aboriginal women and their children who are living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV and other related diseases and conditions;

Photography project:Visual Network - Montreal's Aboriginal Community

The project was conceived as a documentary study in environmental portraiture, each frame being composed of two main elements: the individual making a positive contribution in the community and a Montreal location that has played a significant role in the individual’s urban life. Collectively, the series will display the combined achievements (past, present and future) within the city.

Aboriginal HIV Prevention and Awareness Dialogue Quilt

The Quilt Circle is a culturally relevant project that used oral and arts-based traditions and symbolism to create messages of HIV prevention and awareness on a quilt patch. The use of a holistic interdisciplinary approach allows one to express ideas and focus on strengths through creativity to design important and effective culturally adapted messages for the prevention and awareness of HIV in the Aboriginal communities of the world.

Harm Reduction Project / CLOSED

In October 2006 the NWSM implemented a new program entitled the Harm Reduction Project. This program came to an end on March 31, 2010. The project was reinstated from July 2010 to February 2011 thanks to funding received from the Secretariat des Affaires Autochtones. May 1, 2011 the project was replaced by the Holistic Health Project, funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada.

I was hired as the coordinator and have been busy networking with other social service agencies in and around Montreal in order to provide the best possible services to the clients of the program. I am also an active member of various committees and working groups.

The purpose of the Harm Reduction Project is to increase awareness about harmful behaviors and to minimize the risks associated with these behaviors To achieve this, I now offer regular workshops on topics such as HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Hepatitis, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Self-Esteem, etc. Clients of the Outreach Program also have access to these workshops when they are held at other community organizations.

Also important to the program is my availability to accompany women of the shelter and of the Outreach Program to medical and other appointments i.e. for testing or for follow up appointments. Condoms are also available to all participant of the program.